Core Beliefs
Statement #1
WE BELIEVE THE BIBLE IS THE INFALLIBLE AND
AUTHORITATIVE WORD OF GOD
GIVEN TO HUMANITY FOR DISCIPLESHIP;
AND THE TRUTHS THEREIN ARE NONNEGOTIABLE
2 Timothy 3:16-17
All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate equipped for every good work.
2 Peter 1:20-21
But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.
John 8: 31-32
So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, "If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth and the truth will make you free."
John 17: 17
Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth
AUTHORITATIVE WORD OF GOD
GIVEN TO HUMANITY FOR DISCIPLESHIP;
AND THE TRUTHS THEREIN ARE NONNEGOTIABLE
2 Timothy 3:16-17
All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate equipped for every good work.
2 Peter 1:20-21
But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.
John 8: 31-32
So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, "If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth and the truth will make you free."
John 17: 17
Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth
Statement #2
WE BELIEVE THE CHURCH EXIST TO MAKE DISCIPLES
OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST,
WHO WILL TRANSFORM COMMUNITIES WITH
THE GOSPEL MESSAGE.
Matthew 28:19-20
Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo,
I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Acts 1: 8
but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you;
and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem,
and in all Judea and Samaria,
and even to the remotest part of the earth.”
Acts 11:25-26
And he left for Tarsus to look for Saul; and when he had found him,
he brought him to Antioch. And for an entire year they met with the church and taught considerable numbers;
and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.
Acts 14:21-23
After they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch,
strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying,
“Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.
When they had appointed elders for them in every church, having prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.
OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST,
WHO WILL TRANSFORM COMMUNITIES WITH
THE GOSPEL MESSAGE.
Matthew 28:19-20
Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo,
I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Acts 1: 8
but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you;
and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem,
and in all Judea and Samaria,
and even to the remotest part of the earth.”
Acts 11:25-26
And he left for Tarsus to look for Saul; and when he had found him,
he brought him to Antioch. And for an entire year they met with the church and taught considerable numbers;
and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.
Acts 14:21-23
After they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch,
strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying,
“Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.
When they had appointed elders for them in every church, having prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.
Statement #3
WE BELIEVE REPENTANCE FOR SIN AND FAITH
IN CHRIST'S FINISHED WORK ON THE CROSS
ARE THE INITIAL STEPS OF DISCIPLESHIP
Luke 24:46-47
“Thus it is written, that the Christ would suffer and rise again from the dead the third day, and that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations,
beginning from Jerusalem.
Acts 11:17-18
Therefore if God gave to them the same gift as He gave to us also
after believing in the Lord Jesus Christ,
who was I that I could stand in God’s way?”
When they heard this, they quieted down and glorified God,
saying,“Well then, God has granted to the Gentiles also the repentance that leads to life.”
Acts 20:20-21
I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable,
and teaching you publicly and from house to house, solemnly testifying to both Jews and Greeks of repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
Acts 26:20
declaring both to those of Damascus first, and also at Jerusalem
and then throughout all the region of Judea, and even to the Gentiles,
that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds appropriate to repentance.
IN CHRIST'S FINISHED WORK ON THE CROSS
ARE THE INITIAL STEPS OF DISCIPLESHIP
Luke 24:46-47
“Thus it is written, that the Christ would suffer and rise again from the dead the third day, and that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations,
beginning from Jerusalem.
Acts 11:17-18
Therefore if God gave to them the same gift as He gave to us also
after believing in the Lord Jesus Christ,
who was I that I could stand in God’s way?”
When they heard this, they quieted down and glorified God,
saying,“Well then, God has granted to the Gentiles also the repentance that leads to life.”
Acts 20:20-21
I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable,
and teaching you publicly and from house to house, solemnly testifying to both Jews and Greeks of repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
Acts 26:20
declaring both to those of Damascus first, and also at Jerusalem
and then throughout all the region of Judea, and even to the Gentiles,
that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds appropriate to repentance.
Statement #4
WE BELIEVE THE HOLY SPIRIT IS THE PRIMARY AGENT OF TRANSFORMATION IN DISCIPLESHIP, THEREFORE, WE PARTNER WITH HIM TO COMPLETE HIS SANCTIFYING WORK.
Titus 3:4-7
But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy,
by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,
whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
2 Thessalonians 2:13-14;
But we should always give thanks to God for you,
brethren beloved by the Lord,
because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation
through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth.
It was for this He called you through our gospel,
that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Philippians 2:12-13
So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed,
not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence,
work out your salvation with fear and trembling;
for it is God who is at work in you,
both to will and to work for His good pleasure.
Titus 3:4-7
But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy,
by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,
whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
2 Thessalonians 2:13-14;
But we should always give thanks to God for you,
brethren beloved by the Lord,
because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation
through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth.
It was for this He called you through our gospel,
that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Philippians 2:12-13
So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed,
not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence,
work out your salvation with fear and trembling;
for it is God who is at work in you,
both to will and to work for His good pleasure.
Statement #5
WE BELIEVE DISCIPLESHIP SHOULD BE A SIMPLE PROCESS
THAT PRODUCES PASSIONATE WORSHIP FOR OUR LORD,
PROVIDES A NURTURING COMMUNITY OF ACCOUNTABILITY,
PROTECTS THE ESSENTIAL ACTIONS FOR
SPIRITUAL MATURITY.
2 Timothy 2:2
The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men
who will be able to teach others also.
Luke 10:39-40
She had a sister called Mary,
who was seated at the Lord’s feet, listening to His word.
But Martha was distracted with all her preparations;
and she came up to Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me.”
1 Thessalonians 2:7,11
But we proved to be gentle among you,
as a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children...
just as you know how we were exhorting and encouraging and imploring each one of you as a father would his own children,
Acts 15:28
For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no greater burden than these essentials:
THAT PRODUCES PASSIONATE WORSHIP FOR OUR LORD,
PROVIDES A NURTURING COMMUNITY OF ACCOUNTABILITY,
PROTECTS THE ESSENTIAL ACTIONS FOR
SPIRITUAL MATURITY.
2 Timothy 2:2
The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men
who will be able to teach others also.
Luke 10:39-40
She had a sister called Mary,
who was seated at the Lord’s feet, listening to His word.
But Martha was distracted with all her preparations;
and she came up to Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me.”
1 Thessalonians 2:7,11
But we proved to be gentle among you,
as a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children...
just as you know how we were exhorting and encouraging and imploring each one of you as a father would his own children,
Acts 15:28
For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no greater burden than these essentials:
Statement #6
WE BELIEVE THE ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITY OF PASTORS,
ABOVE ALL ELSE, IS TO CREATE DISCIPLE MAKING COMMUNITIES WITHIN THE CHURCH THROUGH INSTRUCTION, ILLUSTRATION, AND INTERCESSION.
Ephesians 4:11-12
And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ;
2 Timothy 4:1-5
I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus,
who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season;
reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine;
but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths. But you,
be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist,
fulfill your ministry.
1 Peter 5:1-3
Therefore, I exhort the elders among you,
as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ,
and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed,
shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God;
and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock.
Acts 6:4
But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”
ABOVE ALL ELSE, IS TO CREATE DISCIPLE MAKING COMMUNITIES WITHIN THE CHURCH THROUGH INSTRUCTION, ILLUSTRATION, AND INTERCESSION.
Ephesians 4:11-12
And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ;
2 Timothy 4:1-5
I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus,
who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season;
reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine;
but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths. But you,
be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist,
fulfill your ministry.
1 Peter 5:1-3
Therefore, I exhort the elders among you,
as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ,
and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed,
shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God;
and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock.
Acts 6:4
But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”
Statement #7
WE BELIEVE THE ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITY OF PARENTS,
ABOVE ALL ELSE, IS TO CREATE A DISCIPLE MAKING COMMUNITY WITHIN THE HOME THROUGH
INSTRUCTION, ILLUSTRATION, AND INTERCESSION.
Ephesians 6:4
Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
Deuteronomy 6:5-9
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up.
You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. You shall write them on the doorposts
of your house and on your gates.
Deuteronomy 11:18-21
“You shall therefore impress these words of mine on your heart and on your soul; and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. You shall teach them to your sons, talking of them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road and when you lie down and when you rise up.
You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates, so that your days and the days of your sons may be multiplied on the land which the Lord swore to your fathers to give them,
as long as the heavens remain above the earth.
1 Chronicles 29:18-19
O Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, our fathers,
preserve this forever in the intentions of the heart of Your people, and direct their heart to You; and give to my son Solomon a perfect heart to keep Your commandments, Your testimonies and Your statutes,
and to do them all, and to build the temple,
for which I have made provision.”
ABOVE ALL ELSE, IS TO CREATE A DISCIPLE MAKING COMMUNITY WITHIN THE HOME THROUGH
INSTRUCTION, ILLUSTRATION, AND INTERCESSION.
Ephesians 6:4
Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
Deuteronomy 6:5-9
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up.
You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. You shall write them on the doorposts
of your house and on your gates.
Deuteronomy 11:18-21
“You shall therefore impress these words of mine on your heart and on your soul; and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. You shall teach them to your sons, talking of them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road and when you lie down and when you rise up.
You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates, so that your days and the days of your sons may be multiplied on the land which the Lord swore to your fathers to give them,
as long as the heavens remain above the earth.
1 Chronicles 29:18-19
O Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, our fathers,
preserve this forever in the intentions of the heart of Your people, and direct their heart to You; and give to my son Solomon a perfect heart to keep Your commandments, Your testimonies and Your statutes,
and to do them all, and to build the temple,
for which I have made provision.”
Statement #8
WE BELIEVE MARRIAGE IS A SACRED COVENANT BETWEEN A MAN AND A WOMAN UNITED UNDER GOD TO REFLECT, REPLICATE, AND REPRESENT HIS IMAGE ON EARTH.
Malachi 2:13-16
“This is another thing you do: you cover the altar of the Lord with tears, with weeping and with groaning, because He no longer regards the offering or accepts it with favor from your hand.
Yet you say, ‘For what reason?’
Because the Lord has been a witness between you and the wife of your youth, against whom you have dealt treacherously,
though she is your companion and your wife by covenant.
Genesis 1:26-28
Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”
God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. God blessed them;
and God said to them,“Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”
Genesis 2:21-25
So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and he slept;
then He took one of his ribs and closed up the flesh at that place.
The Lord God fashioned into a woman the rib which He had taken from the man, and brought her to the man. The man said,
“This is now bone of my bones, And flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, Because she was taken out of Man.” For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife;
and they shall become one flesh.
And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed.
Psalms 8:3-6
When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,
The moon and the stars, which You have ordained;
What is man that You take thought of him,
And the son of man that You care for him?
Yet You have made him a little lower than God,
And You crown him with glory and majesty!
You make him to rule over the works of Your hands;
You have put all things under his feet,
Malachi 2:13-16
“This is another thing you do: you cover the altar of the Lord with tears, with weeping and with groaning, because He no longer regards the offering or accepts it with favor from your hand.
Yet you say, ‘For what reason?’
Because the Lord has been a witness between you and the wife of your youth, against whom you have dealt treacherously,
though she is your companion and your wife by covenant.
Genesis 1:26-28
Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”
God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. God blessed them;
and God said to them,“Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”
Genesis 2:21-25
So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and he slept;
then He took one of his ribs and closed up the flesh at that place.
The Lord God fashioned into a woman the rib which He had taken from the man, and brought her to the man. The man said,
“This is now bone of my bones, And flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, Because she was taken out of Man.” For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife;
and they shall become one flesh.
And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed.
Psalms 8:3-6
When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,
The moon and the stars, which You have ordained;
What is man that You take thought of him,
And the son of man that You care for him?
Yet You have made him a little lower than God,
And You crown him with glory and majesty!
You make him to rule over the works of Your hands;
You have put all things under his feet,
Statement #9
[SANCTITY OF LIFE]
Statement #10
WE BELIEVE A COVENANT RELATIONSHIP WITH ONE ANOTHER PRODUCES MAXIMUM FELLOWSHIP
WITHIN A DISCIPLE MAKING COMMUNITY
Romans 15:5-6
Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement
grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to
Christ Jesus, so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
James 5:16
Therefore, confess your sins to one another,
and pray for one another so that you may be healed.
The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.
Philippians 2:3-4
Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit,
but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.
1 Peter 4:10
As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
Ephesians 4:32
Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other,
just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.
Colossians 3:9
Do not lie to one another,
since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices.
Hebrews 10:24-25
and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together,
as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.
Galatians 6:2
Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.
Ephesians 5:21
Be subject to one another in the fear of Christ .
1 Peter 4:8
Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another,
because love covers a multitude of sins.
WITHIN A DISCIPLE MAKING COMMUNITY
Romans 15:5-6
Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement
grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to
Christ Jesus, so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
James 5:16
Therefore, confess your sins to one another,
and pray for one another so that you may be healed.
The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.
Philippians 2:3-4
Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit,
but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.
1 Peter 4:10
As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
Ephesians 4:32
Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other,
just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.
Colossians 3:9
Do not lie to one another,
since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices.
Hebrews 10:24-25
and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together,
as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.
Galatians 6:2
Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.
Ephesians 5:21
Be subject to one another in the fear of Christ .
1 Peter 4:8
Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another,
because love covers a multitude of sins.